Sales Associate Cover Letter Examples + Template

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Sales associate cover letter template

[Your Name]

[City, State ZIP Code]

[Your Email Address]

[Your Phone Number]

[Today’s Date]

[Hiring Manager’s Name]

[Company Name]

[OPTIONAL: Department Name]

[Company Address]

[City, State ZIP Code]

Dear [Hiring Manager’s Name],

This letter expresses my keen interest in [Company Name]’s sales associate position as advertised [how you know about the position]. With [X years] experience in [sales or industry] and exceptional customer service etiquette, I am confident in increasing sales for your team. In my previous role at [Previous Company], I consistently exceeded sales targets by anticipating client needs, establishing trust and building repeat business.

Moreover, I am highly adaptable and thrive in fast-paced environments. At [Previous Company], I quickly learned about new [products or services] and effectively sold their features and benefits to customers. [Optional: insert one-sentence description of a specific sales achievement you’re proud of]. My flexibility and strong interpersonal skills allow me to build rapport with customers from diverse backgrounds and provide tailored solutions to help them.

Working for [Company Name] would be a dream come true because of your [top reason company appeals to you]. I am eager to bring my passion for sales and customer service to your organization and contribute to its success. Thank you for considering my application. I look forward to an opportunity to discuss how my skills and experience align with the needs of your team.

Kind regards,

[Your Name]

Personalizing this template as much as possible is crucial to win the role. Making tweaks and adding personal details will make your letter sound less generic and more convincing to employers.

If you want a sharp-looking design to plug this text into, check out our page of professional cover letter templates. Graphic artists created these layouts to be eye-catching and up-to-date.

How to write a sales associate cover letter

These tips will help you write a great cover letter. It’s the best advice you’ll get short of professional cover letter writing help!

Of course, if you want the fully automated experience take advantage of our best tool, our Cover Letter Builder.

It turns the process of writing a cover letter into a series of step-by-step prompts. Best of all, it features expert-written content tailored that you can select from and plug into your letter.

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Otherwise, to write your cover letter, abide these points:

STEP 1

Read the sales associate job post carefully.

Find out which skills and experience the employer seeks in the job description. Sales associate roles can vary depending on what you’re selling, so pay close attention to what the employer wants in their ideal candidate.

Then, you want to echo those requirements back in your cover letter. For example, if the job post states, “Must have the ability to meet sales quotas,” you should mention doing so in your cover letter.

Cover letter example for a sales associate targeting employer needs:

“During my tenure at Coswell Fixtures, I exceeded sales quotas for 19 consecutive quarters.”

STEP 2

Prove your sales associate skills with examples.

In your resume, listing your skills isn’t enough. You must take this further in your sales associate cover letter by supporting your skills claims.

Desired skills for sales associates may include:

Friendliness
Responsibility
Customer service
Rapport building
Communication
Repeat clients
Following up
Sales strategies
Self-motivation
Persistence

Give an example from your sales work experience that shows how your skills achieved a goal or great numbers.

Here’s an example of proving your skills in a cover letter:

“During my time at my previous company, I consistently utilized my strong interpersonal skills to build customer rapport and create lasting relationships. One example of this sales strategy occurred when I noticed a regular customer, Mr. Smith, showing interest in a new product line we had just launched. Recognizing an opportunity to strengthen our relationship and increase sales, I engaged Mr. Smith in a conversation about his preferences and needs. After selling him product solutions, his monthly orders increased by 117% from their original average.”

STEP 3

Stick to the standard cover letter format and be brief.

Your cover letter must be easy to read for humans and any applicant tracking system (ATS) that may scan your application materials. Follow these cover letter format guidelines:

A standard cover letter format includes:

Your contact information
The employer’s address
A greeting
Three-to-four paragraphs
A sign-off

Basic cover letter formatting means:

One-inch margins on all sides of the document
Line spacing between 1.15-1.5
A font size between 11-13
Between 250-400 words
Your letter should fit on one page.

Submitting a cover letter any longer than one page may show the hiring manager that you don’t value their time or water down some of your main points.

So, keep it brief and use plenty of action verbs to describe your accomplishments!

Key takeaways

To recap some of the main points for making a sales associate cover letter:

Look at cover letter examples for sales associate positions to understand how to beat your job competition.
A cover letter template is a preformatted document you can fill in with your own sales associate career story.
Tailor your cover letter to match the job posting and company, emphasizing relevant sales skills and your enthusiasm for the role.
Back up your claims with specific examples from your sales experience to demonstrate your abilities and contributions.
Follow standard formatting guidelines, keep your cover letter concise and professional, and use active language to engage the reader.

Take note: the US Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts a decline in sales roles through 2032. With dwindling roles, the quality of your cover letter becomes even more important!

So, if you want to make a next-level cover letter, use our best tool, the Cover Letter Builder.

The automated program turns the cover letter process into a guided series of easy-to-follow prompts. You can select from a database of expert-written cover letter text, which you can tweak and personalize.

It makes writing a cover letter easier, and you can have one ready in under 15 minutes!

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FAQ

How do I tailor my cover letter for a sales associate position?

To tailor your cover letter for a sales associate position, carefully review the job posting to understand the employer’s requirements and preferences. Highlight relevant skills and experiences that match the job description, such as customer service, sales techniques and product knowledge.

Additionally, research the company to understand its values, culture, and target sales market and incorporate this knowledge into your cover letter to demonstrate your fit.

What should I include in my sales associate cover letter if I have limited experience?

If you have limited experience as a sales associate, highlight your positive attitude, eagerness to learn and customer-focused mindset. These will all show you have a solid foundation for the role, and the employer may be happy to train you further.

You could also emphasize strong communication skills, teamwork and adaptability. These are examples of transferable skills, which are skills you can carry different backgrounds into this sales associate role.

How can I make my sales associate cover letter stand out to employers?

Sales is all about the numbers, so telling the story behind some of your most impressive career statistics is a great strategy! Use active verbs and concrete examples to showcase your accomplishments and contributions.

Additionally, express your passion for sales and customer service and convey your enthusiasm about why you want to join the company. If you seem very enthusiastic, that will stand out to employers.

Finally, proofread your cover letter carefully to ensure it is error-free and reflects your professionalism and attention to detail! Errors in your cover letter will cause you to stand out in an unflatteringly.

See more on our FAQ page